Sword wattle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sword wattle |
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|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Acacia
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| Species: |
gladiiformis
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| Occurrence data from AVH | |
The Sword Wattle (scientific name: Acacia gladiiformis), also known as the sword-leaf wattle, is a type of shrub. It belongs to the Acacia plant family and grows naturally in parts of eastern Australia.
What Does the Sword Wattle Look Like?
This shrub usually grows to be about 1 to 4 m (3 ft 3 in to 13 ft 1 in) (about 3 to 13 feet) tall. It has a somewhat open shape.
Its "leaves" are actually flattened stems called phyllodes. These phyllodes are shaped like narrow swords, measuring 7 to 15 cm (2.8 to 5.9 in) (about 3 to 6 inches) long and 6 to 12 mm (0.24 to 0.47 in) (about 0.2 to 0.5 inches) wide. You can see a clear line down the middle and along the edges of each phyllode.
The Sword Wattle usually blooms between July and October. Its flowers grow in groups of 3 to 12, forming round, bright yellow flower-heads. Each flower-head is about 7 to 10 mm (0.28 to 0.39 in) (about 0.3 to 0.4 inches) across and contains 30 to 50 tiny flowers.
After the flowers bloom, thin, flat, leathery brown seed pods appear. These pods can be straight or slightly curved. They are 6 to 15 cm (2.4 to 5.9 in) (about 2.4 to 6 inches) long and 5 to 10 mm (0.20 to 0.39 in) (about 0.2 to 0.4 inches) wide.
How the Sword Wattle Got Its Name
The Sword Wattle was first officially described in 1842 by a botanist named George Bentham. He used plant samples collected by Allan Cunningham.
The plant's scientific name, gladiiformis, comes from the Latin word for "sword." This name was chosen because of the sword-like shape of its phyllodes.
Where Does the Sword Wattle Grow?
You can find the Sword Wattle in the eastern part of Australia. It grows on the high plains (tablelands) and western slopes of the Great Dividing Range in New South Wales. It's found from a town called Warialda in the north down to Cowra in the south.
This plant likes to grow in rocky soils, especially those found around granite or sandstone. It is often seen growing in Eucalyptus woodlands. The Sword Wattle is also found in the southeastern part of Queensland.
